Family: Lamiaceae

This woody perennial is a three-way hybrid between Salvia mojavensis, S. clevelandii and S. dorrii. Grows an average of 3x3’. It retains the strong, pungent aroma of the Desert sage and the interesting whorled flowering spikes of the Cleveland sage while introducing compactness, extreme drought tolerance and hardiness to the mix. The showy flowers are dark cobalt blue, and are generally produced in the spring and fall

Grow in full to part sun, with moderate water, good drainage, hardy to 10°.

Flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and many other nectar-seeking insects. Moth larval food plant for the Alfalfa Looper Moth (Autographa californica), Bilobed Looper Moth (Megalographa biloba), Virginian Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica), Wavy-Lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata), the geometrid Pherne subpunctata, and the plume moth (Anstenoptilia marmarodactyla).

There are 1045 species of Salvia all over the world. The genus name, salvia, comes from the Latin word salvia, which is related to the Latin words salvus (safe, healthy, secure) and salvēre (to heal, to feel healthy). The name refers to the medicinal properties of some plants in the genus. The “x” in a botanical name usually denotes a hybrid. The name ‘Trident’ is a trademarked name that was given to this plant to denote the three-way hybrid.

This plant is a human-made hybrid, not found in nature.

Photo by Mountain States Wholesale Nursery